Necrocest – death metal band (2003) from Cardiff. (website) More info req’d.

Paul Needs – performer from Port Talbot (c2007) and ex-member of Reactions, The Steps. Very much in a Dr Feelgood mould. He is the cousin of Radio Wales presenter Chris Needs (website)

Nemesis – Newport band (early 90s), feat; David de-Gare Pitt (voc) (ex Liberator), Ian Ridley (gtr), Paul Boschen (bass), Richard Hayward (gtr) (also Doc Savage), Bret Ford (drms). Played at TJ’s, The Bridge Bar, The Harlequin, Metros and numerous venues in South Wales and had good reviews in the Argus. Inevitably, the line-up changed over the years, notably with Ian Ridley and Bret Ford being replaced with Dave Bull and Steve Hollister respectively. In band tensions did appear after a while, and they split some time after the departure of Paul Boschen becoming tired of trying to find a suitable replacement for him. All with the exception of Boschen went on to work with each other in different guises, one of which was a Black Sabbath tribute band called Supernaut. After having been contacted by a follower of Nemesis who now lives in Bermuda, the band reformed under the name of The Best Men to perform at his wedding in Sutton near Croydon.

Neotokyo – techno outfit, feat; Hiro (voc), formed after the split of Manchild. Played debut gig at Barfly, Cardiff (Jun03).

Nerve 424 – heavy rock band from Cardiff., feat: Rich Rolfe (bass), Matt Strangis (voc/gtr), Dave Mapps (drms). Formed in early 1999 when Matt, Rich and Dave met in Cardiff University. Prev called Nerve but added 424 (oct02) after finding Scottish band with same name then became Death To Plan A (website)

New Druids – Husband-and-wife duo Colum Regan (gtr,voc) and Kerry Sanson (perc,voc). Natives of Cork and Warrington, respectively, and based (rather loosely) in St Athan, they first came to notice in 1999 with a self-titled acoustic CD, followed by an EP, Uncovered, in 2001. In 2002 they hooked up with drummer Iolo Whelan and bassist Craig Parry to form Sanfaro, under which name they rec the excellent Colour It Purple LP, which expanded on their early Celtic roots to create almost a world-music vibe. After Sanfaro split 2003, Colum and Kerry returned to gigging as New Druids. Have undertaken two lengthy tours of the U.S. (in 2002 and Jul/Aug04); the former visit yielding a New Druids Live CD – a full band rec with guest saxophonist Dan Myers, the UK rel of which was imminent at the end of Aug04. Website

Newest Industry – punk label (formed 2002) set up by Dave Hopkin of Fracture ‘zine after he heard the new material by No Choice. LP rel Oct02. Proceeded to rel many titles, incl; ‘A Compilation 2002-04’ which is a good place to start if you’re new to the label. Took label name from Husker Du song. (website)

New Form – Cardiff based ‘post punk group active up to 1983(?) – Had 3 tracks; ‘On The Edge/Boy/Blockhead’ on the Cardiff compilation ‘Is The War Over’ Z-Block Records.

Nic Nac Nilly Band – 60’s soul group feat; Jack Bass. formed after a joint billing at Porth YMCA. On the bill was The Phoenix (). The other band was Morty and the Frantics. A new band was formed at the end of the night and was called Nic Nac Nilly Band. Drums: Dick Owen. Guitar: Billy the bandit Haberfield. Jack Bass on bass. Don (Ducky) Roberts on organ. Anthony (Snowy) Evans on Trombone and everyone’s nerves. Colin (Cloth) Gummer on Sax and trombone. Gareth Minton on vocals, guitar and trumpet. A special mention for Jimmy Cider the band’s biggest fan. Also fond memories of Tylorstown RFC. a great venue to play at. After a few great years together the band split and two new groups were formed, Strawberry Dust and Statesboro blues band.

Nihilist – band from Rhondda valleys, formed 2000, and made live debut at Coopers bar (now Barfly) in Cardiff Oct01. Soon changed name to Tourniquet & relocated to the capital.

Nihilistic – Swansea rock-metal band (formed 2003), feat; Sean, Tom, John and Loz. Do a cover of Ghostbusters

Nikolai – Power pop bastards emerging as the best band in a booming Carmarthenshire music scene, feat; Colin Greer (gtr,voc), Johnathan Patrick Doherty (bass) and Gareth Lumb (drms). Played the barfly Cardiff and Blackwood Miners. 5 Track demo available from Tangled Parrot in Carmarthen (email)

The 98% Mom and Apple Pie West Coast Rock n Roll Band – (1968-1970) Penarth 28 piece “performance art” psychodelic musical experience (a la early Pink Floyd) that headlined many hippy love-ins at the famous Roundhouse in London. Apart from the 10 musicians, the show also included nude female dancers who were progressively covered in paint during the act, jugglers and fire eaters, artists painting murals on backcloths and early pyrotechnics.

No Border Wales – a transnational network of autonomous groups advocating freedom of movement and equality for all. The network operates on a non-hierarchical, anti-authoritarian basis and uses consensus decision making. We struggle in solidarity with migrants to work towards a world without borders, capitalism or the state. (website)

No Choice – Cardiff punk band of early 80s, feat; Cid (voc), Gagzee (voc), Martin Owen (gtr), Spike (drms), Svend (bass). Supported Conflict & Infa Riot then rel 7″ on Riot City recs in ’83 Sadist Dream. Reformed 2002 signed to Newest Industry Also had an anthology of old stuff out on GTA from California. Current line up is original guys Gagz, Ada and Terry (Spike) and new bassist Paul..

No Comply – punk band, now split. More info req’d.

No Fit State – punk band formed 1996, feat; Hairy (voc,bass), Jamie (gtr), Ross (gtr), Nathan (drms). Split when Hairy left in 97, remaining members formed Douglas

No One Driving – punk band from newport (2002?) played first Adam Walton session of 2003. feat Russell Edwards (ex Novocaine, also on the review panel on Adam Walton’s Revolution show). More info req’d.

Noo Noo Records – Swansea based label run by Jon, drummer with Punk By Default (website)

Novocaine – Formed in Newport during 1994 by Steve Evans (voc) (went on to form Vel-tone with members of Flyscreen), Russell Edwards (bass), Richard Jackson (gtr) and Bert Lewis (drms) and as the name suggests they were obviously influenced by Nirvana. Shortly after getting together they had a one off single deal with Liberty Place Recs releasing ‘Modern Man/Brain’ (LP004). A year later a 2nd single ‘Tension/Daddy’s Money’ was rel on Townhill Recs (TIDY 002), this led to a deal with Fire Recs who rel a slew of material over the next 2 years before the group inexplicably folded. They leave behind an LP ‘Nervous Disposition’ (Fire CD67) which ably demonstrated the raw energy they possessed and which should of allowed them to go on to greater things.

Nozzle – band, More info req’d.

Nuclear Sunrise – fanzine of late 80s from Milford Haven, ran for at least 4 issues. More info req’d.

Nylonz – Cardiff punk band (1977-79), feat; Chris Brazier (drms) (also Zipper), Kurt Prasser (bass), Pete Millman (gtr), Steve Marchment-Bennett (voc), and later Lewis Mottram (keys). Chris says, ‘I was sacked on the day Thatcher came to power. I have an old cassette of Nylonz live at Monties (Montmerence Club) what I’m trying to put on cd!’ They supported Wayne County, Rich Kids, Slits and Adverts at the Stowaway and the Rank. Dave Littler (voc with L’pool band Spitfire Boys) used the Nylonz (minus Lewis) as his backing band when he came to Cardiff. Steve says (in Jan10), ‘I’m attempting to release an album of the best of our live recordings from that period, along with a book about those halcyon days called ‘Walking Down New Nylon Street’